Dear Sun Spots: I just wanted to thank you for helping us at the Norlands find a butter churn. A nice person donated hers to us, and it works great. We so appreciate donations. Everything helps us to keep cost down. So thank you all very much. – Staff at the Washburn Norlands Living History Center, Livermore.

Dear Sun Spots: I have many old 331/3-speed records. They include Scotsguards pipes-and-drums military marches, Al Jolson, the Mill Brothers, Gene Autry and more. I seem to recall seeing information about someone who buys old records. Could you please repeat this information for me? Thank you. – Helen H., Greene.

Answer: Consider contacting Bill Cartmel of Lewiston to see if he’s interested. You can reach him at 783-1378. Cartmel travels all over New England purchasing records and may possibly be interested in yours. He typically purchases 331/3 and 45s and will even buy some 78s.

Dear Sun Spots: We are looking for craft items for upcoming fundraisers to benefit Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends, a nonprofit organization in Androscoggin County. This organization feeds and tends to feral cats, injured and sick cats, and abandoned and homeless cats in our cities and towns. It has done so for the last 15 years. The goal is to decrease the overpopulation of feral cats through the trap, neuter, release (TNR) program. If you would like to donate a craft or need more information, please call 782-9776. – Jeanne G., Greene.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there anyone out there who buys household contents, like perfectly usable furniture, VHS movies (a collection but never played) and other mint-condition items. I will be moving out of state and don’t want to take it all. Thanks. – P. Ray, Auburn.

Answer: Sun Spots is not aware of any, but perhaps there are readers out there who know of some and would be willing to share those contacts with you.

Dear Sun Spots: I read your items every day, and you do such a wonderful job. How you find all the answers is unbelievable.

Now, I would like a request filled. I would like to get the addresses for Ellen DeGeneres and Billy Ray Cyrus. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Contact DeGeneres via her show at: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, P.O. Box 7788, Burbank, CA 91523. Please mark it to the attention of: Fan Mail.

Try contacting Cyrus through his Web site at www.billyraycyrus.com or through his management agency, Morey Management Group, 9255 Sunset Blvd. Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90069, (310) 205-6100. You will need to mark your correspondence to his attention so that it can be forwarded by the agency to the correct person.

Dear Sun Spots: This is the way we played the game of throwing a ball way back in the late 1940s: One person would stand and watch until her turn, verbally keeping track of the throws. It can be played alone as well.

You have to have a solid wall to throw the ball against. The ball is thrown at the wall for 17 moves in order and caught:

• The first move is ordinary (ball is just thrown and caught)

• No moving, stand without moving legs when you throw and catch

• No laughing when you throw

• No talking when you throw

• One hand

• The other hand

• Stand on one foot

• Stand on the other foot

• Front clap

• Back clap (behind back)

• Front-back clap

• Back-front clap

• Tweedle (hands circling around fast forward in front of self).

• Twaddle (hands circling around fast backward in front of self)

• Curtsy or bow from waist

• Salutesie (put hand to forehead as in a salute)

• Away we go (hands make large circles outstretched to sides). – B.A. Brown, Lewiston.



This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com